Gifts to the annual Christian Education Sunday offering are used to provide mini-grants supporting faith formation efforts in local churches across Michigan.

Christian Education Sunday is one of the special observances set by The Michigan Conference. This year it is celebrated on August 22 (or a Sunday of your choice). 

Why is Christian Education Sunday important?

First, supporting local churches in faith formation (Christian Education) is vital in making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One way this happens is through empowering and equipping local churches and leaders. Your church can celebrate Christian Education Sunday (or another name of your choosing) to communicate how your church engages in faith formation. Click here to learn more about the importance of Christian Education.

Second, Christian Education Sunday provides the opportunity to support faith formation around the conference through the Christian Education Sunday offering. Donations support grants for local churches, training for leaders, resources, and much more.

Emerging ministries are exciting! Often seed money is required to launch a new or re-imagined ministry. Grant money is available for Michigan United Methodist churches and related organizations, in part funded by the Christian Education Sunday Offering.

Interested in applying for a grant? Applications for the next cycle are due on November 1, 2021. 

These are the funding priorities. Grants will be awarded to new, innovative projects that fulfill the Michigan Conference Purpose and Vision with the following characteristics:

• Ministries relating to children (birth through 5^th grade) and discipleship ministries (adult, older adult, intergenerational, family, etc.) Ministries related to youth and young adults should contact the Board of Young People’s Ministries.
• New, emerging, and/or innovative project that makes “…disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
• Address pressing issues impacting the local church, local community, and/or the world.
• Plan for evaluating outcomes and the process.
• Demonstrated potential for sustainability (i.e. activities will continue beyond the grant).
• And others as defined on the grant application

Grant applications will be reviewed by December 1, 2021. Grant applications may also be made March 1, 2022 and July 1, 2022.

Download the Children and Discipleship Grant as a form or as a pdf. 

For questions or more information contact Kathy Pittenger.

In the meantime, please observe Christian Education Sunday. Celebrate how disciples in your church are growing in body, mind, and spirit!

Last Updated on September 20, 2022